Microsoft Archives - SOVA Innovation Hub

Inside EXCITE Halifax: Connecting Classrooms, Careers, and Community

SOVA Innovation Hub — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:48:05 +0000

What does the future of work look like in Halifax County, and how can educators help students prepare for it?

That question is at the heart of EXCITE Halifax, a weeklong summer educator bootcamp sponsored by Microsoft TechSpark in partnership with the SOVA Innovation Hub and local community, education, economic development, and industry partners.

The program gives Halifax County educators an opportunity to step outside the classroom and experience the businesses, industries, technologies, and career opportunities available right here in the region.

Bringing Local Career Opportunities to Life

Throughout the week, educators hear directly from community and economic development leaders and visit employers representing a wide range of industries.

The 2026 program began at the SOVA Innovation Hub with a “State of Halifax County” discussion featuring representatives from the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce, Halifax County Industrial Development Authority, Town of Halifax, Halifax County, and Town of South Boston.

From there, educators spent the week visiting local and regional employers and learning firsthand about their operations, workforce needs, technology, and career opportunities.

The 2026 industry experiences included Gloster, Comfort Systems, IperionX, Hitachi, Reynolds, H&M Logging, Huber, Mid-Atlantic, TMI, and Virginia International Raceway, along with stops highlighting programs and opportunities at VIR.
The photos from this year’s program tell the story, too. Educators can be seen touring Gloster, exploring vehicles and technology, visiting IperionX, and wrapping up the week at Virginia International Raceway.

Connecting the Classroom to the Workplace

EXCITE Halifax is about more than touring businesses.

By talking directly with industry professionals and seeing workplaces in action, educators gain a better understanding of the skills employers need, the technology being used across different industries, and the variety of career paths available to students.

Those experiences can then make their way back into the classroom.

An educator who has walked through a manufacturing facility, talked with employees about their careers, or seen new technology being used in a local workplace has a different story to share with students. They can help students connect what they are learning in school with the opportunities available in their own community.

The week also gives educators time to reflect on what they are seeing and identify what else they want to learn. The 2026 schedule intentionally included time midway through the program for participants to discuss the tours and share additional questions and areas of interest.

Building Connections Across Halifax County

EXCITE Halifax also creates connections between the people preparing students for the future and the organizations that may one day employ them.

Those relationships matter.

When educators know more about local businesses and employers better understand what is happening in local classrooms, it becomes easier to identify opportunities for career exploration, work-based learning, classroom connections, and other partnerships that benefit students.

The SOVA Innovation Hub serves as a home base for the week, with participants beginning each day at the Hub before traveling to industry sites throughout the region. Halifax County Tourism provides transportation for the industry tours.

Investing in Educators—and the Region’s Future Workforce

Through Microsoft TechSpark’s support and the participation of local partners and employers, EXCITE Halifax gives educators something that is difficult to replicate through a presentation or handout: the opportunity to experience the region’s economy firsthand.

Over the course of one week, educators see how technology, manufacturing, engineering, skilled trades, natural resources, innovation, and other fields are shaping Halifax County and the surrounding region.

Most importantly, they leave with new knowledge and connections they can take back to their students.

By helping educators better understand the opportunities available close to home, EXCITE Halifax is helping build stronger connections between education, industry, and the future workforce of Southern Virginia.

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How Southern Virginia Organizations Are Using AI to Solve Real Business Challenges

SOVA Innovation Hub — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:08:00 +0000

Nine organizations completed the inaugural gener8tor Skills AI for Leaders cohort, exploring practical applications of artificial intelligence to improve operations, strengthen workforce development, and solve everyday business challenges.

Artificial intelligence, or “AI”, often dominates headlines, but for organizations across Southern Virginia, the most important question is not what AI might do someday. It is what AI can do today.

This spring, leaders from nine Southern Virginia companies participated in the inaugural gener8tor Skills AI for Leaders cohort, a six-week program designed to help employers identify practical opportunities to apply artificial intelligence within their operations. Supported by Microsoft and the SOVA Innovation Hub, the virtual cohort brought together participants from Southern Virginia alongside peers from Wisconsin and Minnesota to explore real-world applications of AI across manufacturing, logistics, operations, workforce development, and business services.

On June 2, Southern Virginia participants gathered at the SOVA Innovation Hub for an in-person networking event, certificate presentation, and showcase of projects developed during the cohort. Participants shared lessons learned, discussed implementation strategies, and celebrated the completion of the program.

Participating Companies

Participating Southern Virginia organizations included AJ Transport, Beyond Freight LLC, Dedon & Gloster Furniture, Dollar General, Genesis Products, Huber Engineered Woods, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), Morgan Lumber Co., and Reynolds Consumer Products (Presto Products Company). Four organizations presented AI use cases developed during the cohort, while all participants engaged in hands-on learning, peer collaboration, and exploration of practical AI applications within their operations.

The AI use case projects varied widely, but a common lesson emerged: Successful AI adoption is not about replacing people. It is about helping employees solve problems faster, make better decisions, preserve valuable knowledge, and work more effectively.

The goal of gener8tor Skills AI for Leaders is not simply to teach organizations about artificial intelligence. It is to help them identify practical opportunities to create value within their operations. What stood out about this cohort was the focus on solving real business challenges, from quality control and workforce training to logistics and knowledge management. These projects show that organizations do not need to start with large-scale transformation. They can begin with a specific challenge and build from there.

Danielle Remmick

Program Manager for gener8tor Skills

One of the most exciting outcomes of this cohort was seeing participants move beyond talking about AI and begin applying it to real business challenges. The projects presented were not theoretical. They focused on improving quality, preserving institutional knowledge, streamlining operations, and supporting employees in their day-to-day work. That is exactly the type of practical innovation we want to see happening across Southern Virginia.

Lauren Mathena

Director of Economic Development & Community Engagement for the SOVA Innovation Hub

AI Use Cases

Four participating organizations presented projects focused on quality control, workforce training, logistics, and knowledge management. Together, they demonstrated how organizations can begin using AI to address practical business challenges without large technology teams or significant technology investments.

Huber Engineered Woods: Predicting Quality Issues Before They Become Problems

The project presented by Huber Engineered Woods focused on a challenge familiar to many industrial operations: identifying quality issues before they lead to defects, waste, or production disruptions.

Using historical production data, the team developed a machine learning model designed to recognize patterns associated with successful and unsuccessful production outcomes. The project combines historical production data, supervised learning, and AI-assisted recommendations to help identify root causes of quality issues and flag when processes may be trending toward undesirable outcomes.

The team emphasized that data quality is just as important as model quality.

“Just because it’s data doesn’t mean it’s good data,” one presenter explained, noting the importance of filtering out downtime events, outages, and unusual operating conditions that could distort results.

The project also reinforced an important principle shared throughout the cohort. AI should support human expertise, not replace it. While the model provides recommendations and early warnings, operators remain responsible for evaluating the information and making final decisions.

For the organization, the biggest immediate benefit is speed. Analyses that once required days of manual effort can now be completed in near real time, allowing teams to respond faster and make more informed decisions.

The project has progressed beyond experimentation and is preparing for controlled production testing to evaluate prediction accuracy, operator adoption, and overall performance.

Reynolds Consumer Products: Modernizing Training and Capturing Operational Knowledge

The team from Reynolds Consumer Products’ South Boston facility explored how AI could help address one of the most time-consuming challenges in manufacturing: creating and maintaining training documentation.

Developing a single standard work document often requires dozens of hours spread over several weeks as trainers, supervisors, process specialists, and operators collaborate to document procedures. By the time documentation is complete, equipment changes or process improvements may already require revisions.

The result is often a gap between documented procedures and actual operations.

The team’s AI use case focused on accelerating the creation and maintenance of standard work documents while capturing valuable institutional knowledge held by experienced employees.

Their goal is to reduce documentation bottlenecks, improve onboarding, strengthen training consistency, and preserve expertise that might otherwise be lost through workforce transitions.

For many manufacturers facing retirements and workforce challenges, ensuring that critical knowledge remains accessible may prove just as valuable as improving operational efficiency.

Dedon & Gloster Furniture: Turning Five Freight Tools into One

Representatives from Dedon and Gloster, two outdoor furniture brands operating under one umbrella, tackled a challenge that affected both employees and customers: freight calculations.

As the organizations became more integrated, freight quotes continued to be generated through multiple tools, by numerous employees, across two brands. The result was inconsistent information, internal inefficiencies, and delays in responding to customer requests.

One example highlighted the challenge. A sales representative on the West Coast might be working to close a significant order after the East Coast freight team had already left for the day. Without access to reliable freight calculations, the sale would have to wait.

To address the issue, the team used ChatGPT as a collaborative design partner, consolidating freight maps, spreadsheets, and standard operating procedures into a single freight calculator.

“I used ChatGPT like a business partner,” one team member shared. “We went back and forth 39 times before we had a version that actually worked.”

The resulting tool standardizes freight logic across brands, simplifies the user experience, and provides faster, more consistent quotes regardless of time zone.

The project also underscored an important lesson about AI implementation.

“Garbage in, garbage out. You have to test it, validate it, and make sure what you’re getting out is accurate.”

The team plans to seek executive approval and begin implementation across customer service, sales, and warehouse operations.

Morgan Lumber: Preserving Knowledge Before It Walks Out the Door

For Morgan Lumber Group, a deck board manufacturer in Charlotte County, the challenge was knowledge management.

Critical operational knowledge existed in multiple places: vendor emails, maintenance records, manuals, blueprints, and the memories of employees with decades of experience.

“Every time we lose an employee, we lose a lot,” one presenter explained. “Once they retire, everything they know is gone.”

The company is developing a secure, internally hosted knowledge system that will allow employees to quickly search vendor communications, manuals, operating procedures, maintenance history, and troubleshooting records.

Instead of spending valuable time searching through binders, inboxes, and disconnected files, technicians would be able to ask simple questions such as, “Have we seen this fault before?” or “What fixed this issue last year?” and quickly locate relevant information.

One example demonstrated the potential impact. A recurring equipment fault that previously required 45 minutes of investigation could eventually surface related emails, manual pages, maintenance photos, and prior solutions in seconds.

The project will be implemented in phases, beginning with vendor communications and service records before expanding to manuals, blueprints, standard operating procedures, and institutional knowledge capture.

The team stressed that ease of use will determine success.

“Whatever we do, it has to be simple and easy to use. If they have to click through a bunch of screens and still can’t find what they need, they’ll stop using it.”

While the projects addressed different business challenges, several themes emerged throughout the cohort.

First, successful AI initiatives begin with clearly defined operational problems rather than technology itself.

Second, security and governance matter. Participants emphasized the importance of working within organizational policies and leveraging secure platforms that align with existing cybersecurity, privacy, and compliance requirements.

Third, AI is proving to be a powerful tool for preserving institutional knowledge. Across multiple projects, participants identified the loss of experienced employees and undocumented expertise as one of the most significant risks facing organizations today.

Finally, every team viewed AI as a tool that enhances human decision-making rather than replacing it. The most successful applications focused on helping employees work more efficiently, access information more quickly, and make better-informed decisions.

One participant reflected on the importance of continuing to learn and adapt:

“I hope I never get so old that I stop learning. I’m not the future of the company, but I have to map out a succession plan. I’m going to use AI to help me overcome some of my weaknesses and develop training plans, so when I do retire, that knowledge isn’t lost.”

While each organization entered the program with different goals and challenges, all demonstrated a commitment to exploring how emerging technologies can strengthen operations, support employees, and create value within their organizations. The cohort provided a unique opportunity for participants to learn from one another, share ideas across industries, and begin building a regional community of practice around artificial intelligence and innovation.

Building Southern Virginia’s AI Capacity

The first gener8tor Skills AI for Leaders cohort demonstrated that organizations do not need large technology budgets or dedicated data science teams to begin exploring AI.

The most promising opportunities often start with practical business challenges:

- Improving quality and reducing defects
- Preserving institutional knowledge
- Streamlining training and onboarding
- Simplifying complex operational decisions
- Improving customer service and responsiveness

Artificial intelligence presents tremendous opportunities for organizations of all sizes, but success starts with access, education, and hands-on experience. Through collaborations like this one with the SOVA Innovation Hub and gener8tor, we are helping employers explore practical applications of AI that can strengthen operations, support their workforce, and position them for future growth.

Jeremy Satterfield

TechSpark Virginia Manager, Microsoft

What stands out about these projects is that they began with real business needs. Whether improving operational efficiency, preserving decades of institutional knowledge, or helping employees access information more quickly, these organizations are demonstrating how AI can create meaningful value today. We are proud to support efforts that help build innovation capacity across Southern Virginia.

Kristin Vaughan

Senior Community Affairs Manager, Microsoft

What’s Next for AI Training in Southern Virginia?

The SOVA Innovation Hub will continue working with Microsoft, gener8tor, employers, educators, and other regional partners to build Southern Virginia’s capacity for practical, human-centered AI adoption.

Beginning in early fall 2026, the SOVA Innovation Hub will launch additional opportunities for businesses, nonprofits, educators, students, local governments, and community members to engage with artificial intelligence through the SOVA AI Connect Workshop Series and the AI Civic Innovation Challenge.

These initiatives will provide hands-on learning opportunities, practical use cases, collaborative problem-solving experiences, and pathways for organizations to explore how AI can be used responsibly to address business and community challenges.

To stay informed about future AI workshops, cohorts, innovation challenges, and other technology-focused opportunities, follow the SOVA Innovation Hub on social media, subscribe to the Hub newsletter, or visit sovainnovationhub.com/ai-programs >

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5 Years of the SOVA Innovation Hub

SOVA Innovation Hub — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 21:55:00 +0000

Celebrating 5 Years of Community & Coworking

On February 1, 2021, the SOVA Innovation Hub officially opened its doors at 715 Wilborn Avenue. In February 2026, we are celebrating five years of community, connection, and the people who have made this space feel like more than just a place to work.

The SOVA Innovation Hub was created to be a place to learn, work, and grow. Over time, it has become a place where people build businesses, try new ideas, host meetings, learn skills, and form real relationships. It is where work feels less isolating and community feels natural.

Located in downtown South Boston, Virginia, the Hub is a 15,000 square foot facility in Halifax County built on the site of the former Planters Warehouse, which burned down in 2002. What was once an empty space is now part of downtown revitalization and community innovation. Alongside partners like the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, The Prizery, and ProductWorks@SVHEC, the SOVA Innovation Hub helps make downtown South Boston a rural technology hub focused on learning, creativity, and opportunity.

The idea for the Hub began with a feasibility study in 2018, followed by groundbreaking in 2019. Construction wrapped up in late 2020, and in early 2021, the doors officially opened. The Hub was established through a partnership between Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation and Microsoft, with support from GO Virginia and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, all with the shared goal of creating new opportunities for people in Southern Virginia.

Our mission is to spark economic transformation in Southern Virginia by inspiring people to pursue entrepreneurship and digital skills. In real life, that mission shows up in conversations in the coworking space, introductions made between members, meetings that turn into partnerships, gatherings that inspire action, and people realizing they do not have to build businesses or careers alone.

That sense of community is what keeps people coming back. As coworking member and founder of CAREfully Anchored, Tiffany Ferrell, shared in a recent interview with WDBJ7,“Being in this rural area, I live way out in the county, so I don’t have access to high-speed internet. So that was what brought me here. But what kept me here was the people and how much of a community we built just in this space. We’re a community, and then we go out into the community together. So, I love that togetherness.”

Since opening, more than 3,000 people have walked through the doors of the SOVA Innovation Hub. Our first Community Manager, Rebecca Stimson, coordinated the building opening and established a community even with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when connection mattered more than ever. When Rebecca transitioned to an occupational safety role with Presto, the SOVA Innovation Hub searched for its new Community Manager. In June 2022, Mallory Lawter stepped into the role and continues to focus on making the Hub a welcoming, relationship-centered space.

“We are truly building a community here for business owners, remote workers, innovators, and doers,” Mallory shares. “I love getting to know our coworkers, hearing about their work, and learning about their lives. Even when people relocate, change jobs, or retire, many of those relationships last. I have met some of the best people through the Hub, and I would not have had those connections without this space.”

Today, the SOVA Innovation Hub is a coworking space with daily passes and monthly memberships. It is also a meeting and training space used for everything from business meetings and workshops to baby showers, holiday ornament exchanges, and garden club gatherings. The Spark meeting room is often used for small off-site meetings and team conversations. Above all, it is a space that belongs to the community and grows with the people who use it.

To celebrate five years as a coworking community, we would truly love to see you at one of our anniversary events this month.

On Tuesday, February 24, join us for Pancakes and Productivity. Help us celebrate with pancakes and a free daily coworking pass. Short-stacked mini pancakes will be available for purchase from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with free coworking beginning at 8:30 AM. You can also enter to win a free month of coworking. This event is open to the public and is a great way to get a feel for the space.

On Wednesday, February 25, stop by for our 5-Year Anniversary Open House from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Enjoy a free day of coworking beginning at 8:30 AM, take a tour of the Hub, preview renderings of our new building, connect with members and staff, and enjoy giveaways throughout the day.

Whether you stay for a few minutes, an hour, or the whole day, we would genuinely love to welcome you. If you have ever been curious about coworking, wondered what happens inside the SOVA Innovation Hub, or simply want to help us celebrate five years, this is the perfect time to stop by.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so far. We cannot wait to celebrate with you and continue building what comes next, together.

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SOVA Innovation Hub Begins Renovation to Expand Downtown South Boston Campus

SOVA Innovation Hub — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 22:31:23 +0000

SOVA Innovation Hub Begins Renovation to Expand Downtown South Boston Campus

The Hub @ 801 will feature a Fab Lab, podcast studio, coworking spaces, and flexible meeting space

SOUTH BOSTON, VA — January 20, 2026 — The SOVA Innovation Hub announced today that renovation work is underway on The Hub @ 801, a major expansion of its downtown South Boston campus. The project extends the organization’s footprint beyond its flagship building at 715 Wilborn Avenue and includes a full renovation of the adjacent 12,000 square foot property at 801 Wilborn Avenue, formerly home to the South Boston Fire Company Support Center.

The Hub @ 801 will expand the SOVA Innovation Hub’s capacity to serve entrepreneurs, students, businesses, and community members across Southern Virginia. The renovated facility will feature flexible coworking areas, private offices, and two large meeting rooms that can be combined into an event space accommodating up to 148 people. Additional amenities will include a podcast studio to support content creation and storytelling, as well as the SOVA Fab Lab (short for Fabrication Laboratory), a regional makerspace and digital fabrication facility.

The SOVA Fab Lab is being developed in partnership with the Fab Foundation, a Boston-based nonprofit that supports Fab Labs worldwide. As part of a global network of more than 3,000 Fab Labs, the SOVA Fab Lab will connect Southern Virginia to an international community of technologists, makers, educators, and innovators through virtual training and information sharing. The facility will offer advanced digital fabrication tools—including 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC machining—to support workforce development, entrepreneurship, and applied learning. A dedicated Fab Lab Manager will be hired in Spring 2026 to lead the launch and ongoing growth of the makerspace.

“This expansion represents the next chapter in our work to contribute to a thriving innovation ecosystem for Southern Virginia,” said Lauren Mathena, Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement for MBC and the SOVA Innovation Hub. “The resources that will be available at The Hub @ 801 will empower people of all ages and experience levels to imagine, design, and build innovative products and solutions.”

The renovation project is partially funded by the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and Mid‑Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation (MBC), with construction financing from Benchmark Community Bank. Funding for Fab Lab equipment and startup operations is provided by grants from Microsoft and GO Virginia Region 3. GO Virginia is a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that strengthens and diversifies Virginia’s economy and fosters the creation of higher wage jobs in strategic industries.

Renovation work will be completed by J.E. Burton Construction, with architectural design and construction administration led by the Richmond‑based firm PSH+.

Additional information and project updates are available at www.sovainnovationhub.com/.

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EXCITE Halifax Ignites STEM Exploration for Educators

SOVA Innovation Hub — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 11:32:00 +0000

Last month, the SOVA Innovation Hub was buzzing with energy as educators from Halifax County dove into hands-on experiences through EXCITE Halifax, a weeklong summer program designed to provide educators with insights into STEM careers available for their students.

EXCITE (Exploring Careers through Industry Teacher Externships) is a dynamic initiative developed by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) to connect educators with industry across southern Virginia. On July 21–25, 2025 the program was hosted for the first time exclusively for Halifax County educators, thanks to a collaboration among the SOVA Innovation Hub, IALR, Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC), Halifax County Public Schools, and Microsoft’s TechSpark program.

Throughout the week, seven local educators – including middle school and high school teachers and school counselors – participated in engaging sessions led by local leaders and industry professionals. Program participants learned about the daily activities that drive Halifax County’s economy through the lenses of the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Halifax, the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), and the Halifax County Administrator’s office. Additional learning opportunities for the program participants were made available through industry tours with Halifax County employers. The curriculum was tailored to highlight regional opportunities and support the educators in inspiring their students to consider innovative careers in Halifax County.

Educator Perspectives on EXCITE Halifax

“EXCITE really allowed us as educators to see firsthand what STEM jobs are available in our rural community,” said Rosa Dunn, Connections Coordinator, Explore The Trades. “We saw potential job fields for our students that we had no idea about beforehand that are directly related to STEM education. It is important that we start exposing our students to these opportunities early on so they can see the potential that is in their own backyards.”

“EXCITE week was an impactful step forward in strengthening the connection between education and industry,” said Melanie Hastings, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director, Halifax County Public Schools. “Educators stepped outside the classroom to engage with local experts and see firsthand how the skills they teach translate directly to the workforce. I look forward to continuing this collaboration, raising awareness about career opportunities for our students right here at home.”

“Seeing these technologies and career opportunities in action within our own region made a lasting impression,” said Julia Salley, GO TEC Instructor, Halifax County Middle School. “It reaffirmed the importance of what I’m teaching and gave me powerful, real-world examples to share with my students. I can now better show them how the skills they’re learning translate into meaningful careers right here in Halifax County.”

Industry Perspectives on EXCITE Halifax

“Gloster was so thankful to have been afforded the opportunity to collaborate with frontline members of education whose impact on the next generation truly does have an impact on employers,” said Danielle Potter, Human Resources Manager, Gloster. “The passion to inspire and influence the future workforce was apparent among this group of educators and education partners and we as industry were truly appreciative to be asked our opinion and feedback on how we all as a collective can be more influential. This experience was absolutely beneficial to Gloster and we hope that we had an impact on those who participated, and will continue to be given more opportunities for continued collaboration with our school system.”

“As AI becomes more integrated into our economy, it is crucial to prepare workers across industries with the skills needed to succeed,” said Jeremy Satterfield, TechSpark Manager, Microsoft. “EXCITE Halifax expands training opportunities across Halifax County, helping students fill in demand jobs and compete in the local economy.”

Planning for EXCITE Summer 2026

The SOVA Innovation Hub, a nonprofit dedicated to economic transformation through innovation and entrepreneurship, is proud to bring IALR’s EXCITE program to Halifax County, thanks to financial and programmatic support from Microsoft’s TechSpark initiative. The EXCITE program is part of a broader effort to expand access to STEM career exploration across Southern Virginia.

Following this year’s pilot of EXCITE Halifax, partners plan to offer EXCITE again in summer 2026 in Halifax and are actively exploring opportunities to bring the program to additional localities—such as Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, and Lunenburg counties. Local leaders, educators, and employers interested in supporting or hosting future EXCITE programs are invited to complete the EXCITE Interest Form >.

Want to be the first to know when this program is offered again? Join our newsletter >

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Workforce Innovation Celebration hosted by Microsoft with gener8torSkills Accelerator and SOVA Innovation Hub

SOVA Innovation Hub — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 20:55:59 +0000

On Monday, April 7, 2025, the SOVA Innovation Hub and gener8tor, in collaboration with Microsoft, hosted a Workforce Innovation and Program Celebration at the SOVA Innovation Hub in downtown South Boston, Virginia. The event recognized the achievements of individuals who completed the gener8tor Skills Accelerator program.

Since its launch in 2020, the gener8tor Skills Accelerator has supported over 170 residents in Halifax County and surrounding areas. This no-cost workforce training program offers career-ready education, mentorship, and job placement assistance—empowering rural Virginians to build sustainable careers. Thanks to Microsoft’s scholarship funding and the SOVA Innovation Hub’s wrap-around support, participants gain valuable skills to enter or advance in the workforce.

Pictured Above: Danielle Remmick of gener8tor Skills (far left, first row) pictured with program completers at the SOVA Innovation Hub

The gener8tor Skills Accelerator is a virtual rapid-skilling program designed to equip individuals with in-demand skills for local or remote job opportunities. Nationally, more than 3,200 individuals have completed from the program since 2020, with an 82% graduation rate and 63% job placement rate within six months. In Southern Virginia, the program has run 13 cohorts, serving 173 participants, with a 70% placement rate and an average starting salary of $60,802.

Program completers earn a gener8tor Skills certificate, industry-recognized credentials, and receive personalized job placement support. The program is made possible by grants, workforce innovation initiatives, and corporate sponsorships from partners like Microsoft.

The gener8tor Skills Accelerator continues to drive economic opportunity by helping individuals thrive in high-growth industries. Learn more and apply at https://sovainnovationhub.com/gener8tor-skills/

“The pandemic forced us to look at the widening digital divide in our community. Through Microsoft TechSpark, we are committed to helping people gain the skills they need in order to move into available jobs within the digital era.”

Jeremy Satterfield

TechSpark Virginia Manager, Microsoft

“We are excited to be working with gener8tor and Microsoft to bring this opportunity to the citizens of Southern Virginia. The goal of the SOVA Innovation Hub is to inspire people to pursue digital careers and entrepreneurship, and the skills taught in this program are critical to success in these fields.”

Lauren Mathena

Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement , Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation & SOVA Innovation Hub

“Completing gener8tor’s six-week project management course has been an invaluable experience… I am excited to apply these insights to future opportunities.”

Angela Reel

gener8tor Skills Accelerator Completer, Southern Virginia

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Unleash Positive Change with the Southern Virginia Community Challenge by ChangeX

SOVA Innovation Hub — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 16:07:30 +0000

Are you driven to create positive change in your local community? ChangeX is here to empower your vision through the Southern Virginia Community Challenge. This initiative provides funding for exciting community projects, allowing individuals, existing groups, and community organizations to make a real impact. Whether you have a new idea or an ongoing project, ChangeX is ready to support and amplify your efforts.

How it Works:

Getting involved in the Southern Virginia Community Challenge is a straightforward process. You can either choose an idea from the ChangeX website or submit your existing project. Follow these steps to bring your vision to life:

Step #1 – Select an idea from the ChangeX website or submit your existing project.

Step #2 – Register to create your project page on the ChangeX website.

Step #3 – Utilize your project page to complete the 30 Day Challenge.

Step #4 – Submit a photo and your action plan.

Step #5 – Keep ChangeX informed about the impact you are making in your community.

Who can Apply:

The Southern Virginia Community Challenge is open to individuals, existing local groups, and community organizations passionate about building thriving communities in the Microsoft TechSpark Southern Virginia region. This region includes Mecklenburg, Halifax, Charlotte, Lunenburg, and Brunswick Counties.

What you Get:

Successful applicants to the Southern Virginia Community Challenge receive a range of benefits to kickstart or expand their projects, including:

Seed funding to initiate or grow your project.

A free starter resource pack, mentorship, and technology tools to help you get started. Here

Additional impact funding once you report back on the social impact of your active project.

Don't Miss the Deadline Apply by Friday, January 12th!

Inspiring Success Stories:

In 2023, ChangeX funded numerous projects in Southside, VA, making a significant difference in local communities. Explore some of these impactful projects and discover how they are contributing to positive change:

Sappony Heritage
Camp

Get Fit with
Mother Nature

People’s Pantry
Express

Read
Box

Gifting Love
Through Play

Bluegrass in
Boydton

The Prizery
Youth Theatre

Pollinator Partnership
South Boston

Discover Existing Project Ideas:

If you’re still searching for the perfect project idea, consider these existing initiatives:

The Southern Virginia Community Challenge by ChangeX is your opportunity to be a catalyst for positive change in your community. Apply by Friday, January 12th, and join the ranks of impactful projects making a difference across Southern Virginia. What change will you create? Whether you have a new idea or an existing project, now is the time to make a lasting impact on your community.

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Upcoming opportunities: gener8tor Skills, RISE Business Bootcamp, and ChangeX

SOVA Innovation Hub — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 23:10:47 +0000

Upcoming Programs and Opportunities

Are you ready to soar to new heights in 2024? There are lots of upcoming opportunities at the SOVA Innovation Hub!

RISE Business Bootcamp powered by CO.STARTERS

Start, grow, or scaleup your business in Southern Virginia with a community of peers and mentors. For any entrepreneur in Southern Virginia (Halifax County and the 14 localities surrounding it). Apply by December 8th, 2023.

Apply by Dec 8th

ChangeX Southern Virginia Community Challenge

Use your own project idea, or one of 12 projects from the ChangeX list of options, like starting a LEGO robotics team or a pollinator garden. For people in Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, or Charlotte County, Virginia.

Apply Now

gener8tor Skills Accelerator

Get skills and coaching to advance your career in Project Management. For anyone in Southern Virginia who wants to learn in-demand skills to apply in local companies or as a remote worker. Apply by January 14th.

Apply by Jan 14th

View our monthly flyer

Download PDF Flyer

Contact us for more information

MALLORY LAWTER

SOVA Innovation Hub Community Manager

(434) 570-1305 | hello@sovainnovationhub.com

COWORKING SPACE HOURS

Open Monday – Friday, 8:30AM – 5:00PM
Closed for Holidays & Weekends

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Gain critical Administrative Assistant skills for in-demand jobs through the free gener8tor Skills Accelerator program.

SOVA Innovation Hub — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 14:53:39 +0000

South Boston, VA – April 12, 2023 – Registration has opened for the Southern Virginia gener8tor Skills Accelerator Spring 2023 Administrative Assistant program. This program is a free, 6-week, self-paced skills training program that is designed to help Southern Virginia residents enhance existing skills or develop new skills for today’s ever-changing workforce and receive a job as an Administrative Assistant.

Members of the Administrative Assistant program cohort will:

Master communication techniques and interpersonal skills that will propel their ability to work in multiple industries;
Explore a great entry level position that allows them to learn all areas of a company before deciding what aligns with their passions
Learn how to coordinate information across stakeholders that is impactful and drives business revenues;
Discover the value in being a key player who makes sure day-to-day business operations are efficient and smooth.

The spring cohort will take place from May 22, 2023 – June 30, 2023. Register online here by May 14, 2023.

Anyone accepted into the program can use the SOVA Innovation Hub coworking space for free during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm for the duration of the program.

What is gener8tor Skills?

The gener8tor Skills Accelerator is a virtual, rapid reskilling program for people looking for jobs in high-demand roles in their communities or working remotely for companies across the country. The program utilizes the LinkedIn Learning platform to provide high-quality instruction in fields ranging from Customer Service to Software Development.

The program offers:

Self-paced, virtual curriculum from Microsoft and LinkedIn to learn skills for a career as an Administrative Assistant
One-on-one career coaching & long-term job placement support
Lunch & Learns with industry experts
Resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile coaching
Job Interview preparation including mock interviews.

Learn more about the program on the gener8tor website. Please contact Mackenzie Herro, Skills Recruitment Manager for gener8tor at mackenzie@gener8tor.com for more information.

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Community Fridge Halifax

SOVA Innovation Hub — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 18:44:03 +0000

The SOVA Innovation Hub hosted the Honor the Dream Food Drive from January 9-13, 2023. Over 150 items were donated for the distribution that Community Fridge Halifax hosted on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Elkhorn Baptist Church. Since then we had the opportunity to discuss Community Fridge Halifax with Juanita Johnson.

What is Community Fridge Halifax?

Community Fridge Halifax is a non-profit formed in 2020. Volunteers purchase fruits and vegetables weekly to distribute to elderly, homebound or less fortunate neighbors in western Halifax County.

Community Fridge Halifax Volunteers

“The support of the volunteers and the community has been amazing. Everyone has been extremely gracious and appreciative.”

How did Community Fridge Halifax get started?

When Juanita moved back to the area after retiring from a career in social work, she noticed many people were not eating the healthiest. “Individuals face daily challenges such as transportation, the inability to get to town, and financial challenges to name a few. People are having to spend money they would spend on food for transportation.”

As she was contemplating what she could do to help and how she would fund this effort she discovered ChangeX. Juanita applied and received $5,000.00. Community Fridge Halifax was born.

“ChangeX is such a blessing. We have been able to help so many families through the funds we were graciously awarded. When we were getting low on funds I received a letter stating we still had the second installment of $1,500.00.”

What is ChangeX?

ChangeX is a program supported by Microsoft that encourages positive change in communities. The program provides the support and network needed for individuals and organizations to improve the community in which they live.

Proven project ideas are listed below:

First Lego League
Recycle Across America
Hour of Code
Pollinator Partnership

Most recently ChangeX provided $50,000 for the ChangeX Southern Virginia Community Challenge. Individuals and groups in Halifax, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, Charlotte, and Lunenburg counties could apply for funding.

Prior community challenges enabled almost 40 local groups to start community projects. Check out some of the past projects here.

What is next for Community Fridge Halifax?

Community Fridge Halifax volunteers gather to distribute fresh fruits and vegetables on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

After seeing how grateful and appreciative the recipients are, Community Fridge Halifax would like to do more to help. “We will still distribute fruits and vegetables for those in need, but we plan to grow. We would like to:

establish a food bank
educate others about healthy eating and specific medical issues that can be prevented from eating healthy
partner with some local groups to teach people how to plant raised gardens so they can raise their own healthy food
stop by and check on the elderly in the community
form a walking club

How can you help?

Host a Food Drive and collect fruits and vegetables for Community Fridge Halifax or if interested in volunteering contact Juanita Johnson at (434) 637-2797 or 1971jjohnson@gmail.com.

More Information

Community Fridge Halifax ChangeX link

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